We have all seen the pictures, read the reports and heard the stories coming out of Moore, Okla. The cost of a massive tornado that battered the Oklahoma City suburb could be more than $2 billion, according to a preliminary official estimate. State authorities meanwhile said two infants were among the 24 people who perished […] [...]

On April 27, 2011, the people of Northeast Mississippi’s tiny farming town of Smithville could hardly see a future beyond the next 24 hours. Today, the survivors of one of the deadliest tornadoes to strike Mississippi are looking nearly 20 years ahead at the Smithville of 2030. The one-time trading post has been framing a […] [...]

SMITHVILLE — The town of Smithville will continue receiving federal money to pay for five municipal employees whose work is focused on helping with recovery from the April 2011 tornado. WTVA-TV reports the board of aldermen approved receipt of a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant covers the salaries for the […] [...]

SMITHVILLE — A Mississippi mayor who led recovery efforts after a tornado destroyed the entire town has earned a Phoenix Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Mayor Gregg Kennedy of Smithville received the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official. SBA wrote: “When they heard the tornado warning sirens […] [...]

HINDS COUNTY — Hinds County has received the state’s 47th StormReady designation. Mississippi now has 24 counties, 16 communities, four state universities and three government sites designated as StormReady in Mississippi. “One of the things that we can count on in our state is severe weather,” said Mississippi Emergency Management director Robert Latham. “I hope […] [...]

CLAIBORNE COUNTY — Claiborne County has received Mississippi’s 46th StormReady designation. Mississippi has 23 counties, 16 communities, four state universities and three government sites designated as StormReady in Mississippi. StormReady is a nationwide program of the National Weather Service that helps communities protect their citizens during severe weather and encourages communities to take a proactive […] [...]

ROLLING FORK — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expect to have the remains of the iconic Red Barn removed by June 15. The barn off U.S. 61 North was built by the Graft family in 1918, the old barn collapsed in heavy winds nearly a year ago. Corps spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale tells the Vicksburg […] [...]

COLUMBUS — Construction and renovation projects, totaling more than $23 million, are underway at Mississippi University for Women as the college works through the midpoint of its 20-year master plan. The plan was developed following a 2002 tornado and, though school officials had hoped to be further along with some projects, overall good progress is […] [...]

WIGGINS — The Stone County Board of Supervisors has approved an update of the county’s hazard-mitigation plan. Emergency management director Raven James tells The Sun Herald FEMA requires the county to have the updated five-year plan in order to receive funding in the case of a natural disaster or emergency. James says projects outlined in […] [...]